Environmental Justice and Community Impact

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. In 1992, EPA established an environmental justice office, and two years later President Clinton issued an executive order for all federal government agencies to consider environmental justice in their decisions. The current administration has placed further emphasis on federal agencies to include environmental justice principles in decision-making and many states are doing the same. As EPA and the states seek to engage more with communities on environmental justice-related issues, it is important for ISRI members to proactively participate in discussions that help avoid unintended consequences. This session will provide insight on how to engage at the local, state, and federal levels using thoughtful, transparent, and positive approaches that will result in win-win solutions.